b'MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORMessage from theEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR up virtual sharing circles. For Mothers Day,We also realized that family violence wasIm hoping we will embrace the the team researched gifts you can make fromincreasing, so we distributed cell phonesteachings of our ancestors and heal products in the home, such as body scrubsto Indigenous women so they couldfrom our collective pain. Im already and face masks made from materials in thecheck in with their service providers on aseeing it in the political sphere: pantry, like coffee and sugar. safe phone line. never have I been prouder of the provincial and federal politicians As well, at the beginning of the pandemic,To ensure that no one fell throughworking together. But Ive also seen food banks were low on donations as peoplethe cracks, we made a decision earlyan increase in lateral violence in our were responding to the pandemic. We recog- on to provide coordinated access tocommunities, and were pushing nized right away that the homeless popula- services at about 1,000 access points afor more investment in healing for tion was at additional risk. We shared ourweek. We took a holistic approach andIndigenous women.limited resources with a number of food- actively shared our resources with the security places across the province beforecommunity. Through our website, weToday, I want to acknowledge the government announced any assistance. have an access point for sharing daily myIndigenous women who are strug-briefings from my policy team, based ongling day to day and who are In places with community transmis- briefings from Chief Medical Officers,continuing to lead regardless of sion, we wanted to ensure the safetythe Premier and the Prime Minister. the many barriers they continue to of workers. ONWA has a relationshipface from lateral violence, racism with an Indigenous supplier, so weIm an optimist, and I believe thatand discrimination. On behalf of purchased surgical masks to share withCOVID-19 is teaching the world whatONWA, we acknowledge you, our community partners in health-accessthe Indigenous community has knownand we hope the work we do will centres, womens shelters and Indigenousfor generations: if one person is not well,continue to make a brighter future housing service providers. We shared aour entire community is not well. This isfor our children, our grandchildren minimum of 12,000 masks with at leastan opportunity for our community andand future generations.17 partners. That covered hundreds if notour leaders to move forward towards a thousands of frontline workers. We alsocollective future where violence againstMiigwetchprovided hand sanitizer for those theyIndigenous women garners the same provide services to. Weve heard stories ofattention as COVID-19, a future where elders crying from a gift of hand sanitizeran Indigenous woman can walk alone because they had not been able to get anyat night to the corner store without to go outside.worrying about her safety.Share Your VisionAt Rogers, we embrace the many talents and unique voices of all communities. For 60 years, Rogers has been giving voice to thepeople it servesreflecting their values, and sharingtheir vision for the future. With deep respect for Indigenous Peoples and their rights, Rogers believesin embracing opportunities to learn from theircultures, governance and connection to the land. We are passionate about building rewarding relationships, and believe in employing individualswho want to make a differencewho take pride intheir heritage, culture and community. If youbelieve in these values, tell us about your vision. Together, we can make more possible.Bring your whole self to work at Rogers.Learn more about Rogers at about.rogers.comOntario Native Womens Association11'